Wednesday, March 27, 2002
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Wednesday, March 27, 2002 |
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Living with fire in Fayette County Fayette is experiencing continued growth in to it's rural areas at a steady pace, and the number of people looking to get "back to nature", and away from the hustle and bustle of city life, grows yearly. With it the possibility that wildfire will sweep through their destination: the woodsy swath between city and country called the urban/rural interface. This urban flight places an excessive burden on the Georgia Forestry Commission and local fire fighting agencies and their ability to fight fire. Adding to the problem, many homeowners are slow to realize the responsibilities that come with living so close to nature. When we mention wildfire, many people first think of the monstrous blazes common to California and other western states, and that those types of fires could never occur here. Wrong. It could. Under the right weather conditions (during dry conditions with low humidity, warm temperatures, coupled with high winds), wildfires can be devastating. As interface areas experience growth, there is apathy to changing building codes and planning for adequate fire control. Because change is often resisted or ignored, the Georgia Forestry Commission feels education may be the key to developing public awareness and preventing property losses. Some homeowners still insist on building in heavily wooded areas, using narrow inaccessible driveways. They stack firewood against their houses and allow pine needles and leaves to accumulate on rooftops and in rain gutters. To maintain the "woodsy" atmosphere of natural surroundings and improve safety, homeowners should consider providing defensible space around their buildings. Defensible space is the concept of reducing piles of debris and removing hazards near structures, and providing a vegetation buffer to reduce the chance of fire reaching buildings. The Georgia Forestry Commission offers advice and free inspections of home sites, to determine hazards and corrective actions to take. There are also free publications available that detail safety measures; a pamphlet "Your Home in the Line of Fire" and booklet "Wildfire Protection for Developers and Homeowners." For more information call 770-254-7218.
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